C9105AXI-E
Internal omnidirectional antennas
C9105AXW-E
Internal antennas
Cisco access point comparison
C9105AXI-E vs C9105AXW-E
A key difference between Cisco C9105AXI-E and C9105AXW-E is Antenna Design: C9105AXI-E — Internal omnidirectional antennas; C9105AXW-E — Internal antennas. They also differ in Ethernet Uplink (1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink vs 1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink) and Maximum Power Draw at PD (11 W vs 13 W). Consider how antenna design affects the deployment, then review the remaining differences before choosing the exact Product ID. The table below shows 41 specifications available for both models. Confirm licenses, accessories, power supplies and regional suffixes before ordering.
2models compared
41specs shown for every model
12differences found
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At-a-glance comparison
Key performance and configuration differences
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
C9105AXI-E
1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink
C9105AXW-E
1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink
C9105AXI-E
11 W
C9105AXW-E
13 W
C9105AXI-E
Cisco Catalyst 9105AXI indoor access point
C9105AXW-E
Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW wall-plate access point
C9105AXI-E
4 dBi
C9105AXW-E
3 dBi
C9105AXI-E
802.3af supports both 2x2 radios and 1G uplink operation
C9105AXW-E
802.3af disables USB and LAN1 PSE; 802.3at enables either USB or LAN1 PSE
Buying decision
How to choose between C9105AXI-E and C9105AXW-E
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
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01
Radio and client design
Compare Wi-Fi generation, radio chains, MIMO and spatial streams against the client mix, coverage and capacity plan.
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02
Antenna and installation
Choose the antenna format and mounting style for the intended space, then confirm the regulatory-domain suffix.
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03
Uplink, PoE and management
Check wired uplink speed, full-feature PoE requirements, controller support and minimum software before deployment.
Before ordering
Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | C9105AXI-E | C9105AXW-E |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Catalyst 9105AXI indoor access point | Cisco Catalyst 9105AXW wall-plate access point |
| Wireless radios and antennas | ||
| Wireless Standard | Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax; backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax; backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Radio Design | Dedicated dual-concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 2x2 radios | Dedicated dual-concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 2x2 radios |
| MIMO Profile | 2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams | 2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams |
| Spatial Streams | 2 | 2 |
| Maximum Aggregate PHY Rate | 1.488 Gbps | 1.488 Gbps |
| Antenna Design | Internal omnidirectional antennas | Internal antennas |
| 2.4 GHz Antenna Gain | 4 dBi | 3 dBi |
| 5 GHz Antenna Gain | 5 dBi | 5 dBi |
| External Antenna Connectors | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Ethernet Uplink | 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 PoE uplink | 1 x 100/1000/2500BASE-T multigigabit RJ-45 PoE uplink |
| Wired LAN Downlink Ports | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Console Ports | 1 x RJ-45 management console | 1 x RJ-45 management console |
| USB Ports | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Input Options | IEEE 802.3af PoE or 802.3at PoE+; AIR-PWRINJ5= or AIR-PWRINJ6= injector | IEEE 802.3af PoE or 802.3at PoE+; AIR-PWRINJ5= or AIR-PWRINJ6= injector |
| Maximum Power Draw at PD | 11 W | 13 W |
| PoE Feature Mode | 802.3af supports both 2x2 radios and 1G uplink operation | 802.3af disables USB and LAN1 PSE; 802.3at enables either USB or LAN1 PSE |
| 802.3af Feature Mode | Both radios operate at 2x2; Ethernet uplink operates at 1 Gbps | Both radios at 2x2 and 2.5G uplink; USB and LAN1 PSE disabled |
| 802.3at Feature Mode | Both radios operate at 2x2; Ethernet uplink operates at 1 Gbps | Both radios at 2x2 and 2.5G uplink; either USB or LAN1 PSE enabled |
| 802.3bt Feature Mode | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Supported Controllers | Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series; Cisco 3504, 5520 and 8540; Cisco virtual WLC | Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series; Cisco 3504, 5520 and 8540; Cisco virtual WLC |
| Management Model | Controller-based CAPWAP or Embedded Wireless Controller capable platform | Controller-based CAPWAP or Embedded Wireless Controller capable platform |
| Deployment Model | Indoor controller-based or Embedded Wireless Controller deployment | Indoor controller-based or Embedded Wireless Controller deployment |
| Software Support | Cisco Unified Wireless Network 8.10 MR3 or later; Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or later | Cisco Unified Wireless Network 8.10 MR3 or later; Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or later |
| Regulatory Domain | -E regulatory domain; country approval must be verified | -E regulatory domain; country approval must be verified |
| Bluetooth / IoT Radio | Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy 5 radio | Integrated Bluetooth Low Energy 5 radio |
| WLAN Security | WPA3, WPA2, IEEE 802.1X, AES and supported EAP methods | WPA3, WPA2, IEEE 802.1X, AES and supported EAP methods |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | Controller-managed Cisco wireless access-point software | Controller-managed Cisco wireless access-point software |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or Cisco Unified Wireless 8.10 MR3 | Cisco IOS XE 17.3.1 or Cisco Unified Wireless 8.10 MR3 |
| DRAM | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Flash Memory | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 30 × 150 × 150 mm | 32.66 × 90 × 160 mm |
| Weight | 0.33 kg | 0.373 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 50 °C | 0 to 50 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -30 to 70 °C | -30 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Operating Humidity | 10% to 90% | 10% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 m | Up to 3,000 m |
| MTBF | 653,568 hours | 701,904 hours |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime hardware warranty | Limited lifetime hardware warranty |
| Mounting | Ceiling or wall using the supported mounting bracket | Wall-plate mount |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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